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Rugby Club Tour of Ireland, 2002
by Dave Wheelock, Rugby coachSOCORRO, N.M., March 21, 2002-- "The ruggers from Tech are so fine. They keep pinky-fingers curled when they dine. In dashing good style, they toured the Emerald Isle. Who knew rugby could be this sublime?" Long known for excellence in science, engineering, and research, New Mexico Tech, a state-supported research university in Socorro, is usually overlooked as a haven for international sports teams. And yet, over the recent spring break, while most college students throughout the nation were kicking back on the beach, or catching up on some late-season skiing, New Mexico Tech's rugby team was playing its way through Ireland in the school's second overseas tour. A 33-member traveling party, including 15 current students, nine alumni players, and one Tech professor, matched the one-win, two-loss record of a previous Tech rugby team that visited Wales in 1998. During the recent tour of the Emerald Isle, the New Mexico Tech rugby club, nicknamed the "Pygmies" in 1974 in playful tribute to the founding members's relatively short statures, managed to chalk up yet another of the huge upsets they have been noted for throughout the years. On March 11, the Tech ruggers beat a team from Trinity University in Dublin, on the last play of the match, 22-17. Two days later, the Pygmies almost did it again against Athlone Institute of Technology, coming back from a 20-5 halftime deficit, but falling short with a final score of 20-17. Only in the tour's final match in Limerick, against an under-20s team from frequent Irish national club champion Shannon Rugby Club, was New Mexico Tech outclassed, 39-3. . . . By then, a stubborn virus--also one of the hazards of international touring--had worked its weakening way throughout most of Tech's traveling team. "Although friendly hosts, the Irish take their rugby seriously, with most players taking up the game in their early years," says Tech rugby coach Dave Wheelock. "Tech's team accomplished its goals for the tour: playing at a higher level; attending outstanding world-class-level matches; and participating in Irish sporting culture," he adds. When not dreaming of overseas glory, the New Mexico Tech rugby club competes in the collegiate division of the Rio Grande Rugby Football Union, which includes eight New Mexico clubs and the El Paso Rugby Club. | |
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Last updated: 2002/03/27 22:29:44,
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